CO Puerto Princesa Successfully Conducts Series of ManaMo 2024 Advocacies
PUERTO PRINCESA 02 October 2024 – In celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nations Awareness Month 2024 (MANAMo 2024), CO Puerto Princesa initiated a series of activities to promote public awareness and understanding of the Philippines as a maritime nation and archipelagic state to strengthen public support for our country’s advocacies for a rules-based maritime regime.
The celebration started with the launching of the MANAMo 2024 Photo/Video Exhibit on 18 September 2024 at the Robinsons Place – Palawan that the CO organized in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Western Command (WESCOM), the Provincial Government of Palawan (PGP), the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS), the Municipality of Kalayaan, the Tubbataha Management Office, and Robinsons Palawan. More than one hundred guests composed of officials from the partner agencies, West Philippine Sea (WPS) advocates in Palawan, students from the Fullbright College, the Holy Trinity University, reservists from the army, navy, and air force, and the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 were present during the launching and ribbon cutting ceremony.
Head of Consular Office (HCO) Liza Jane V. Estalilla welcomed the guests and representatives of partner agencies who delivered their inspirational messages. Commodore Constancio Arturo Reyes JR PN, Deputy Commander for External Affairs of the WESCOM thanked CO Puerto Princesa for initiating the MANAMo 2024 events and emphasized the significance of the whole-of-nation approach in encouraging proactive support for the preservation and protection of the WPS from the general public. Representatives from the partner agencies shared the same vision and encouraged Palaweños, especially the youth, to actively participate in various WPS advocacies. The program ended with the song “WPS Akin Ka”, an original composition from the Philippine Navy’s Civil Military Operations Group dedicated to our fisherfolks and frontliners in the WPS. The song’s lyrics and video evoking a poignant message of ironclad patriotism and loyalty to our country moved some of the audience to tears.
The guests were then ushered to the MANAMo 2024 Exhibit Site at the 2nd Floor of Robinsons Palawan for the ribbon cutting ceremony led by HCO Estalilla and Commodore Reyes. The six-day exhibit held from 18 to 23 September showcased beautiful high definition photos and videos of Palawan’s rich marine resources and conservation efforts by the PCSDS, the Tubbataha Management Office, and the Municipality of Kalayaan. It also featured the various outreach activities and advocacies being conducted by the WESCOM’s 6th Civil Relations Group (6th CRG) and the Civil Military Operations Unit. Visitors to the exhibit were also given the opportunity to enjoy a three-dimensional underwater experience through the virtual reality (VR) goggles provided by the Tubbataha Management Office.
On 24 September 2024, the MANAMo 2024 Exhibit was moved to the Library Building of the Palawan State University (PSU) that also houses the University’s American Corner funded by the U.S. Embassy. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by HCO Estalilla and PSU President Dr. Ramon M. Docto who thanked HCO Estalillla and her team for organizing the exhibit for PSU students. Being in the forefront of the West Philippine Sea, he emphasized the significant role of the academe and students in the preservation of our marine resources and in safeguarding our rights in the WPS by actively supporting various environmental preservation programs and MANAMo advocacies.
The MANAMo Photo/Video Exhibit at PSU lasted until 27 September 2024 and was followed by the MANAMo 2024 Forum held on 28 September at the PSU’s gymnasium. Over 1,200 students undergoing the National Service Training Program were present during the event.
During the Forum, Hon. Maurich Philip Albayda, Sangguniang Bayan Member of the Municipality of Kalayaan of the West Philippine Sea gave a comprehensive discussion on how we Filipinos caneffectively support and uphold our rights to the WPS in congruence with Arbitral Tribunal’s decision through an agenda of shared interests, shared vision, and shared action that are embodied in his advocacy known as Sulong West Philippine Sea. Atty. Robelito H. Rumpon, Asst. Provincial Prosecutor of the Department of Justice IV-B, gave an in-depth analysis of Philippines’ claim on the WPS using historical and legal facts based on the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling. Lt. Commander Ronnie Riel B. Grimpola PN, Commander of the 6th Civil Relations Group, spoke about the AFP’s Communication Plan entitled Mulat to drum up public awareness, protection, and support for the WPS. Forester John Vincent Fabello of the PCSDS gave an overview of the strategic development and initiatives in the WPS Kalayaan Islands Group while Mr. Christian Robert Nalica, PSU’s Director for Library Services and American Corner, spoke about environmental stewardship and the role of the youth in the WPS.
Apart from these events, CO Puerto Princesa personnel also joined the International Coastal Clean-Up Day organized by the City Government of Puerto Princesa on 21 September 2024. They will also be joining the second part of the Coastal Clean-up scheduled on 19 October 2024. END
